Editing Soapstone

{{short description|Talc-bearing metamorphic rock}}
[[File:Soapstone (Speckstein) - several colored samples.jpg|upright=1.35|thumb|Samples of soapstone]]

'''Soapstone''' (also known as '''steatite''' or '''soaprock''') is a [[talc]]-[[schist]], which is a type of [[metamorphic rock]].  It is composed largely of the [[magnesium]]-rich mineral [[talc]].  It is produced by dynamothermal [[metamorphism]] and [[metasomatism]], which occur in [[Subduction|subduction zones]], changing rocks by heat and pressure, with influx of fluids but without melting. It has been a carving medium for thousands of years.

== Terminology ==
The definitions of the terms "steatite" and "soapstone" vary with the field of study. In geology, steatite is a rock that is, to a very large extent, composed of talc. The mining industry defines steatite as a high-purity talc rock that is suitable for the manufacturing of, for example, [[Insulator (electricity)|insulators]]; the lesser grades of the mineral can be called simply "'''talc rock'''". Steatite can be used both in lumps ("block steatite", "lava steatite", "lava grade talc"), and in the ground form. While the geologists logically will use "steatite" to designate both forms, in the industry, "steatite" without additional qualifications typically means the steatite that is either already ground or to be used in the ground form in the future. If the ground steatite is pressed together into blocks, these are called "synthetic block steatite", "artificial block steatite", or "artificial lava talc".{{sfn|Chidester|Engel|Wright|1963|p=8}}

In industrial applications ''soapstone'' refers to [[dimension stone]] that consists of either amphibole-chlorite-carbonate-talc rock, talc-carbonate rock, or simply talc rock and is sold in the form of sawn [[Stone slab|slabs]]. "Ground soapstone" sometimes designates the ground waste product of the slab manufacturing.{{sfn|Chidester|Engel|Wright|1963|p=8}}

==Petrology==
[[Image:Talc block.jpg|thumb|right|A block of talc]]

[[Petrology|Petrologically]], soapstone is composed predominantly of talc, with varying amounts of [[chlorite group|chlorite]] and [[amphibole]]s (typically [[tremolite]], [[anthophyllite]], and [[cummingtonite]], hence its obsolete name, magnesiocummingtonite), and traces of minor iron-chromium [[oxide]]s. It may be [[schist]]ose or [[Crystal habit|massive]].  Soapstone is formed by the metamorphism of [[Ultramafic rock|ultramafic]] [[protolith]]s (e.g. [[dunite]] or [[serpentinite]]) and the [[metasomatism]] of siliceous [[Dolomite (rock)|dolomite]]s.

By mass, "pure" steatite is roughly 63.37% [[silica]], 31.88% [[Magnesium oxide|magnesia]], and 4.74% water.<ref name=Handbook>{{cite book|editor1=Anthony, John W. |editor2=Bideaux, Richard A. |editor3=Bladh, Kenneth W. |editor4=Nichols, Monte C. |title= Handbook of Mineralogy|publisher= Mineralogical Society of America |place=Chantilly, VA |chapter-url=http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/talc.pdf|chapter=Talc|isbn=0962209716 |volume=II (Silica, Silicates)|year=1995}}</ref> It commonly contains minor quantities of other oxides such as [[Calcium oxide|CaO]] or [[Aluminium oxide|Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>]].

[[Pyrophyllite]], a mineral very similar to talc, is sometimes called soapstone in the generic sense, since its physical characteristics and industrial uses are similar,<ref name="Virta">{{cite book |last1=Virta |first1=Robert L. |title=Minerals Yearbook Metals and Minerals 2010 |year=2017 |publisher=Government Printing Office |page=75.1 |isbn=9788290273908 |url=http://bora.uib.no/handle/1956/16580 |access-date=26 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref> and because it is also commonly used as a carving material. However, this mineral typically does not have such a soapy feel as soapstone.

==Physical characteristics==
Soapstone is relatively soft because of its high talc content—talc has a definitional value of 1 on the [[Mohs scale of mineral hardness|Mohs hardness scale]]. Softer grades may feel similar to [[soap]] when touched, hence the name. No fixed hardness is given for soapstone because the amount of talc it contains varies widely, from as little as 30% for architectural grades such as those used on countertops, to as much as 80% for carving grades.

Soapstone is easy to carve; it is also durable and heat-resistant and has a high heat storage capacity. It has therefore been used for cooking and heating equipment for thousands of years.<ref name=hansen>{{cite book| last1=Hansen|first1=Gitte|last2=Storemyr|first2=Per|title=A Versatile Resource – The Procurement and Use of Soapstone in Norway and The North Atlantic Region. In: Soapstone in the North Quarries, Products and People 7000 BC – AD 1700. UBAS – University of Bergen Archaeological Series 9. |year=2017 |place=Bergen, Norway |url=http://bora.uib.no/handle/1956/16580 |isbn=978-82-90273-90-8}}</ref>

Soapstone is often used as an [[Electrical insulation|insulator]] for housing and electrical components, due to its durability and electrical characteristics and because it can be pressed into complex shapes before firing. Soapstone undergoes transformations when heated to temperatures of {{convert|1000|–|1200|°C|°F}} into [[enstatite]] and [[cristobalite]]; on the Mohs scale, this corresponds to an increase in hardness to 5.5–6.5.<ref>"Some Important Aspects of the Harappan Technological Tradition," Bhan KK, Vidale M and Kenoyer JM, in ''Indian Archaeology in Retrospect''/edited by S. Settar and Ravi Korisettar, Manohar Press, New Delhi, 2002.</ref> The resulting material, harder than glass, is sometimes called "lava".<ref name=Hall>{{cite journal |last1=Hall |first1=A. L. |title=On the talc deposits near Kaapmuiden, in the Eastern Transvaal |journal=Transactions of the Geological Society of South Africa |date=1927 |volume=30 |page=83 |url=https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA10120750_1652}}</ref>

==Historical use==
=== Africa ===
Ancient Egyptian [[Scarab (artifact)|scarab]] signets and amulets were most commonly made from glazed steatite.<ref name=aldred>{{cite book |last=Aldred |first=Cyril |date=1971 |title=Jewels of the Pharaohs Egyptian Jewellery of the Dynastic Period |publisher=Thames and Hudson |pages=160–161 |isbn=0500231389}}</ref> The [[Yoruba people]] of West [[Nigeria]] used soapstone for several statues, most notably at [[Esie]], where archaeologists have uncovered hundreds of male and female statues about half of life size. The Yoruba of [[Ife]] also produced a miniature soapstone obelisk with metal studs called "the staff of [[Oranmiyan]]".

[[Soapstone mining in Tabaka, Kenya]] occurs in relatively shallow and accessible quarries in the surrounding areas of Sameta, Nyabigege and Bomware.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Akama |first=John |date=2018-08-14 |title=The Evolution and Resilience of the Gusii Soapstone Industry |journal=Journal of African Cultural Heritage Studies |language=EN |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=1–17 |doi=10.22599/jachs.31 |issn=2513-8243 |s2cid=169646064 |doi-access=free}}</ref> These were at the time open to all to access provided they had the labor resources to do so. This mostly meant the men did the mining as they were custodian to the community land, meaning ancestral lands in Riamosioma, Itumbe, Nyatike etc.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Akama |first=John |date=2018-08-14 |title=The Evolution and Resilience of the Gusii Soapstone Industry |journal=Journal of African Cultural Heritage Studies |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=1 |doi=10.22599/jachs.31 |issn=2513-8243 |s2cid=169646064 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Americas ===
[[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] have used soapstone since the Late Archaic period. During the [[Archaic period in the Americas|Archaic archaeological period]] (8000–1000 BC), bowls, cooking slabs, and other objects were made from soapstone.<ref>{{cite book |author=Kenneth E. Sassaman |title=Early Pottery in the Southeast: Tradition and Innovation in Cooking Technology |date=1993-03-30 |publisher=University Alabama Press |isbn=978-0-8173-0670-0}}</ref> The use of soapstone cooking vessels during this period has been attributed to the rock's thermal qualities; compared to clay or metal containers, soapstone retains heat more effectively.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Frink |first1=Liam |last2=Glazer |first2=Dashiell |last3=Harry |first3=Karen G. |date=October 2012 |title=Canadian Arctic Soapstone Cooking Technology |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.2190/NA.33.4.c |journal=North American Archaeologist |language=en |volume=33 |issue=4 |pages=429–449 |doi=10.2190/NA.33.4.c |issn=0197-6931}}</ref> Use of soapstone in native American cultures continue to the modern day. Later, other cultures carved soapstone [[Smoking pipe (tobacco)|smoking pipe]]s, a practice that continues today. The soapstone's low heat conduction allows for prolonged smoking without the pipe heating up uncomfortably.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Witthoft |first=J.G. |year=1949 |title=Stone pipes of the historic Cherokees |journal=Southern Indian Studies |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=43–62}}</ref>

[[File:Mythological figures by Kayasark, Inuit, Pelly Bay, Canada, steatite, HAA.JPG|thumb|Mythological figures carved in soapstone by Kayasark, Inuit carver, held in the [[Honolulu Academy of Arts]]]]

[[Indigenous peoples of the Arctic]] have traditionally used soapstone for carvings of both practical objects and art. The [[qulliq]], a type of oil lamp, is carved out of soapstone and used by the [[Inuit]] and [[Dorset culture|Dorset]] peoples.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Erwin |first=John C. |date=2016 |title=A Large-Scale Systematic Study of Dorset and Groswater Soapstone Vessel Fragments from Newfoundland and Labrador |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26891240 |journal=Arctic |volume=69 |pages=1–8 |doi=10.14430/arctic4592 |jstor=26891240 |issn=0004-0843}}</ref> The soapstone oil lamps indicate these people had easy access to oils derived from marine mammals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civilization.ca - Life and Art of an Ancient Arctic People - The Dorset People |url=https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/archeo/paleoesq/ped01eng.html |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=www.historymuseum.ca}}</ref>

In the modern period, soapstone is commonly used for carvings in [[Inuit art]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nuttall |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Swr9BTI_2FEC&dq=%22inuit+art%22+soapstone+common&pg=PA162 |title=Encyclopedia of the Arctic |date=2005-09-23 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-78680-8 |language=en}}</ref>

In the United States, locally quarried soapstone was used for gravemarkers in 19th century northeast [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], around [[Dahlonega, Georgia|Dahlonega]], and [[Cleveland, Georgia|Cleveland]] as simple field stone and "slot and tab" tombs.

In Canada, soapstone was quarried in the Arctic regions like the western part of the Ungava Bay and the Appalachian Mountain System from Newfoundland.<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=The application of trace element geochemistry to determine the provenance of soapstone vessels from Dorset Palaeoeskimo sites in western Newfoundland |url=https://research.library.mun.ca/7028/ |publisher=Memorial University of Newfoundland |date=2003 |degree=masters |language=en |first=Cynthia Marie |last=O'Driscoll}}</ref>

=== Asia ===
[[File:Idi-ilum Louvre AO 19486 n01.jpg|thumb|upright|The 21st-century BC [[statue of Iddi-Ilum]] of [[Mari, Syria|Mari]], Syria, is made of soapstone.]]

The ancient trading city of [[Tepe Yahya]] in southeastern [[Iran]] was a center for the production and distribution of soapstone in the 5th to 3rd millennia BC.<ref>"Tepe Yahya," ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 2004. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. 3 January 2004, [http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9380473/Tepe-Yahya Britannica.com]</ref>

Soapstone has been used in India as a medium for sculptures since at least the time of the [[Hoysala Empire]], the [[Western Chalukya Empire]] and to an extent [[Vijayanagara Empire]].<ref>{{cite book |title=UGC NET History Paper II Chapter Wise Notebook {{!}} Complete Preparation Guide |date=1 September 2022 |publisher=EduGorilla |page=485 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4nqKEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA485 |access-date=26 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

Even earlier, steatite was used as the substrate for Indus-Harappan [[Seal (emblem)|seals]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pruthi |first1=R. K. |title=Indus Civilization |date=2004 |publisher=Discovery Publishing House |isbn=978-81-7141-865-7 |page=225 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XgFu-9UF0TYC&pg=PA225 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Soapstone sculptures">{{cite web |title=Soapstone sculptures|url=http://www.hoysala.in/soapstone-sculptures-of-hoysala-temples.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215023908/http://www.hoysala.in/soapstone-sculptures-of-hoysala-temples.shtml|archive-date=15 February 2009|date=2008|website=hoysala.in |access-date=26 November 2018}}</ref> After the intricate carvings of icons and (yet undeciphered) symbols, the seals were heated above {{convert|1000|°C|°F}} for several days to make them hard and durable to make the final seals used for making impressions on clay.

In China, during the [[Spring and Autumn period]] (771–476 BC), soapstone was carved into ceremonial knives.<ref>[http://collections.meaa.org.uk/view-item?i=634&WINID=1613799854338 "Steatite Knife" at the Bath Museum of East Asian Art]</ref> Soapstone was also used to carve [[Seal (East Asia)|Chinese seals]].

Soapstone was used as a writing pencil in [[Myanmar]] as early as the 11th-century Pagan period. After that, it was still used as a pencil to write on Black [[Folding-book manuscript|Parabaik]] until the end of the Mandalay period (19th century).

=== Australia ===
Pipes and decorative carvings of local animals were made out of soapstone by [[Australian Aboriginal]] artist [[Erlikilyika]] ({{Circa|1865|1930}}) in [[Central Australia]].<ref name="Megg">{{cite web |last=Kelham |first=Megg |date=November 2010 |title=A museum in Finke: An Aputula Heritage project |url=http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/jspui/bitstream/10070/230199/1/Aputula_Heritage_Final_Report_Megg_Kelham.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510110909/http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/jspui/bitstream/10070/230199/1/Aputula_Heritage_Final_Report_Megg_Kelham.pdf |archive-date=2019-05-10 |website=Territory Stories |pages=1–97 |access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref>

=== Europe ===
The [[Minoan civilization]] on [[Crete]] used soapstone. At the Palace of [[Knossos]], a steatite [[libation]] table was found.<ref>C.Michael Hogan (2007) [http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/10854/knossos.html#fieldnotes "Knossos Fieldnotes"], ''The Modern Antiquarian''</ref> Soapstone is relatively abundant in northern Europe. [[Vikings]] hewed soapstone directly from the stone face, shaped it into cooking pots, and sold these at home and abroad.<ref>Else Rosendahl, ''The Vikings'', The Penguin Press, 1987, page 105</ref> In [[Shetland]], there is evidence that these vessels were used for processing marine and dairy fats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shetlandamenity.org/assets/files/Viking%20Unst/Belmont%20Steatite%20Vessel%20Residues%20Report.pdf|title=Report on the analysis of residues from steatite and ceramic vessels from the site of Belmont, Shetland|last=Steele|first=Val|website=Shetland Amenity}}</ref> Several surviving medieval buildings in northern Europe are constructed with soapstone, amongst them [[Nidaros Cathedral]].<ref name=hansen />

== Modern use ==
[[File:O Cristo Redentor.JPG|thumb|The outer layers of the ''[[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]]'' sculpture in [[Rio de Janeiro]] are made of soapstone.]]

In modern times, soapstone is most commonly used for architectural applications, such as counter tops, floor tiles, showerbases, and interior surfacing.

Soapstone is sometimes used for construction of fireplace surrounds, cladding on [[wood-burning stoves]],<ref name=sfnm>{{cite web |url=http://www.santafenewmexican.com/life/home/there-s-a-stove-for-every-taste/article_6ad9bf86-cbbb-5d31-88f0-34c1a6c1238b.html |title=There's a stove for every taste |date=2017-11-05 |access-date=2017-12-14 |work=[[The Santa Fe New Mexican]] |author= Weideman, Paul}}</ref><ref name=wapo>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/the-enduring-appeal-of-wood-stoves/2017/01/17/b08c2698-d690-11e6-9f9f-5cdb4b7f8dd7_story.html |title=The enduring appeal of wood stoves |date=2017-01-19 |access-date=2017-12-14 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |author=Damrosch, Barbara}}</ref> and as the preferred material for woodburning masonry heaters because it can absorb, store, and evenly radiate heat due to its high density and [[magnesite]] (MgCO<sub>3</sub>) content.<ref name=sfnm/><ref name=wapo/> It is also used for countertops and bathroom tiling because of the ease of working the material and its property as the "quiet stone".  A weathered or aged appearance occurs naturally over time as the patina is enhanced.

Soapstone can be used to create molds for [[Casting (metalworking)|casting]] objects from soft metals, such as [[pewter]] or [[silver]]. The soft stone is easily carved and is not degraded by heating.  The slick surface of soapstone allows the finished object to be easily removed.

[[Welding|Welders]] and [[Fabrication (metal)|fabricators]] use soapstone as a marker due to its resistance to heat; it remains visible when heat is applied. It has also been used for many years by seamstresses, carpenters, and other craftspeople as a marking tool, because its marks are visible but not permanent.

Resistance to heat made steatite suitable for manufacturing [[gas burner tip]]s, [[spark plug]]s, and electrical switchboards.<ref name=Hall/>

=== <span class="anchor" id="SteatiteCeramicAnchor"></span>Ceramics ===
Steatite [[ceramic]]s are low-cost biaxial [[porcelain]]s of nominal composition (MgO)<sub>3</sub>(SiO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>4</sub>.<ref>{{cite web |title=Royalty Minerals |url=http://www.royaltyminerals.in |website=royaltyminerals.in |access-date=26 November 2018}}</ref> Steatite is used primarily for its [[dielectric]] and thermally-insulating properties in applications such as tile, substrates, washers, bushings, beads, and pigments.<ref>{{cite web |title=Superior Technical Ceramics |url=http://www.ceramics.net |access-date=26 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref> It is also used for high-voltage insulators, which have to stand large mechanical loads, such as insulators of [[mast radiator]]s.

=== Crafts ===
Soapstone continues to be used for carvings and sculptures by artists and indigenous peoples. In Brazil, especially in the state of [[Minas Gerais]], the abundance of soapstone mines allow local artisans to craft pots, pans, wine glasses, statues, jewel boxes, coasters, and vases from soapstone. These handicrafts are commonly sold in street markets found in cities across the state. Some of the oldest towns, notably [[Congonhas]], [[Tiradentes, Minas Gerais|Tiradentes]], and [[Ouro Preto]], still have some of their streets paved with soapstone from colonial times.

=== Mining ===
Architectural soapstone is mined in Canada, Brazil, India, and Finland and imported into the United States.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-05-30 |title=Soapstone gives countertops, tiles a look that's both new and old |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/soapstone-gives-countertops-tiles-a-look-thats-both-new-and-old/2013/05/30/48f500c2-bc1d-11e2-89c9-3be8095fe767_story.html |access-date=2014-01-11}}</ref> Active North American mines include one south of [[Quebec City]] with products marketed by Canadian Soapstone, the Treasure and Regal mines in [[Beaverhead County, Montana|Beaverhead County]], [[Montana]] mined by the Barretts Minerals Company, and another in central [[Virginia]] operated by the Alberene Soapstone Company.

Mining to meet worldwide demand for soapstone is threatening the habitat of India's tigers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnett |first=Antony |date=2003-06-22 |title=West's love of talc threatens India's tigers |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,982537,00.html |access-date=2007-01-09}}</ref>

=== Other ===
Soapstones can be put in a freezer and later used in place of ice cubes to chill alcoholic beverages without diluting. Sometimes called whiskey stones, these were introduced around 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Interview with the Inventor of Whisky Stones, Andrew Hellman|url=https://whiskystones.com/blogs/news/taste-the-dram-interviews-the-inventor-of-whisky-stones-andrew-hellman|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Whisky Stones|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250402151854/https://www.tastethedram.com/single-post/2017/04/21/whisky-stones/|archive-date= 2025-04-02|date= 2017-04-21}}</ref> Most whiskey stones feature a semipolished finish, retaining the soft look of natural soapstone, while others are highly polished.

== Safety ==
People can be exposed to soapstone dust in the workplace via inhalation and skin or eye contact. Exposure above safe limits can lead to symptoms including [[cough]]ing, [[shortness of breath]], [[cyanosis]], [[crackles]], and [[pulmonary heart disease]]. Due to the potential presence of [[tremolite]] and crystalline [[silica]] in the dust, precautions should be taken to avoid occupational diseases such as [[asbestosis]], [[silicosis]], [[mesothelioma]], and [[lung cancer]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Proctor |first1=Nick H. |title=Proctor and Hughes' Chemical hazards of the workplace |last2=Hughes |first2=James P. |last3=Hathaway |first3=Gloria J. |date=2004 |publisher=Wiley-Interscience |isbn=978-0-471-26883-3 |edition=5th |location=Hoboken, NJ}}</ref>

===United States===
The [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]] has set the legal limit ([[permissible exposure limit]]) for soapstone exposure in the workplace as 20 million particles per cubic foot over an 8-hour workday. The [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] has set a [[recommended exposure limit]] of 6&nbsp;mg/m<sup>3</sup> total exposure and 3&nbsp;mg/m<sup>3</sup> respiratory exposure over an 8-hour workday. At levels of 3000&nbsp;mg/m<sup>3</sup>, soapstone is [[IDLH|immediately dangerous to life and health]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Soapstone (containing less than 1% quartz)|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0558.html|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-11-21}}</ref>

==Other names==
The local names for the soapstone vary: in [[Vermont]], "grit" is used, in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] "white-grinding" and "dark-grinding" varieties are distinguished, and [[California]] has "soft", "hard", and "blue" talc.{{sfn|Chidester|Engel|Wright|1963|pp=8-9}} Also:

* Combarbalite stone, exclusively mined in [[Combarbalá]], Chile, is known for its many colors.  While they are not visible during mining, they appear after refining.
* Palewa and gorara stones are types of Indian soapstone.
* A variety of other regional and marketing names for soapstone are used.<ref>{{cite web |title=CST Personal Home Pages |url=http://www.cst.cmich.edu/USERS/DIETR1RV/soapstone.htm |website=cst.cmich.edu |access-date=26 November 2018}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Byzantine - St George and the Dragon - Walters 41205.jpg|A 12th-century Byzantine relief of [[Saint George and the Dragon]]
File:Belur2 retouched.jpg| Soapstone sculpture on the [[Hoysala architecture|Hoysala]] [[Chennakeshava Temple, Belur|temple]] at [[Belur, Karnataka|Belur]], India<ref name="Soapstone sculptures"/>
Image:Slot and tab.jpg| Soapstone slot-and-tab tomb in [[Dahlonega, Georgia]]
Image:Lavatoriopedrasabao.jpg|A fountain made with soapstone, near [[Our Lady of Good Voyage Cathedral, Belo Horizonte|Our Lady of Good Voyage Cathedral]], in [[Belo Horizonte]], Brazil
Image:Scarab550bc.jpg| An Egyptian carved and glazed steatite [[Scarab (artifact)|scarab]] amulet
File:Canaanite - Scarab with "Udjat" Eyes - Walters 4239 - Bottom.jpg|Steatite scarab at [[the Walters Art Museum]] 
File:Die Nidaros Kathedrale in Trondheim. 05.jpg|[[Nidaros Cathedral]] in [[Trondheim]], Norway, constructed mainly of soapstone
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of minerals]]
* [[List of rocks]]
* [[Talc carbonate]]
* [[Archeological Site 38CK1]], [[Archeological Site 38CK44]], and [[Archeological Site 38CK45]]

== Citations ==
{{Reflist}}

== General and cited references ==
* {{cite book |last1=Chidester |first1=Alfred Herman |last2=Engel |first2=Albert Edward John |last3=Wright |first3=Lauren Albert |title=Talc resources of the United States |date=1963 |publisher=U.S. Govt. Print. Off. |location=Washington | url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/1167/report.pdf}}

==Further reading==
* Felce, Robert (2011). ''Soaprock Coast... The origins of English porcelain''. {{ISBN|978-0-956-9895-0-5}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Soapstone}}
* [https://www.traditionaloven.com/articles/691/soapstone-data-info Soapstone Calculated Refractory Data w/ Technical Properties Converter] (Incl. Soapstone Volume vs. Weight measuring units)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070222204934/http://www.csasi.org/1998_october_journal/pg201.htm Ancient soapstone bowl] (The Central States Archaeological Journal)
* [http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/abstract_111461.htm Soapstone Native American quarries, Maryland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706194011/https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/abstract_111461.htm |date=2017-07-06 }} ([[Geological Society of America]])
* [https://antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/shaffer297/ Prehistoric soapstone use in northeastern Maryland] (Antiquity Journal)
* [https://archaeology.ncdcr.gov/get-involved/archaeological-sites-sample/blue-rock-quarry The Blue Rock Soapstone Quarry, Yancey County, NC] (North Carolina Office of State Archaeology)
* [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0558.html CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards]
* [http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/dekalb/steatite-boulder Steatite] historical marker in [[Decatur, Georgia]]

{{Rock type}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ceramic materials]]
[[Category:Dielectrics]]
[[Category:Metamorphic rocks]]
[[Category:Petrology]]
[[Category:Phyllosilicates]]
[[Category:Sculpture materials]]
[[Category:Stone (material)]]